Sponsor: Shibui Knits was born in 2007, in the basement of Darcy Cameron’s yarn store Knit Purl in Portland, Oregon. Faced with the limitations of yarn from big-brand companies, she started her own label, bringing yarn of the highest quality to small, independent stores like her own. Shibui Knits has since grown to represent timeless sophistication in local yarn stores worldwide. All of the Shibui yarns are designed to become unique, luxury fabrics in a coordinated palette made for mixing, at any gauge. Each pattern is tailored with thoughtful techniques, resulting in an intuitive knitting process and garments with optimal fit. Today, they continue to be grounded in the concept of simplicity well executed, with loving attention to detail. In March of this year Shibui launched the SS17 collection along with their newest yarn Lunar, a lace weight merino and silk blend. You can view the SS17 lookbook along with the full line of Shibui yarns at shibuiknits.com and make sure to follow along on Ravelry and Instagram @shibuiknits

Fiber folk: When I think of shawl designers, Melanie Berg is one of the first to come to mind. Her work has inspired a generation of shawl knitters and her soft and sweet presence charms anyone who’s had the opportunity to talk with her. From her life in Germany with her family to exploring new European yarns, I hope you enjoy hearing Melanie’s story. You can find Melanie on Ravelry and on Instagram @mairlynd.

Sponsor: The Yarn Collective is a new fibre and design company focused on working with the best independent designers to bring you luxurious hand-dyed yarns in a range of inspiring colorways.The Yarn Collective has kicked off the launch with a trio of designers representing the best of modern knitwear design: Melanie Berg, Carol Feller and Bristol Ivy. The first of these international designers is Melanie Berg from Germany, who has launched Portland Lace, a fine yarn spun from the softest merino wool to create a wonderfully soft handle that is suitable for all types of knitting and crochet. The yarn is available in 10 shades, picked by Melanie Berg herself. The Yarn Collective has had the pleasure in collaborating with a family run mill that has been established for over 85 years in Peru. Now run by the third generation, their passion for ethics matches The Yarn Collective’s own commitment to environmentally safe practices and social responsibility. The yarn is accompanied by the Secretkeeper Lace shawl pattern, which Melanie named as “sometimes knitting can feel like weaving in little secrets into fabric as you go. Thoughts that you won’t share with anyone, just your knitting..” Visit theyarncollective.com and follow along on Instagram @theyarncollective and you can purchase the yarns at loveknitting.com

Giveaway: The winner of our last episode’s giveaway is Lianne Scott. You’ve won Taproot’s GROW project kit for the Summer Rain Shawl, Thread and Ladles autographed copy of MAINE Knits and 4 skeins of Wing and a Prayer Farm’s Shetland DK to make Beatrice’s Gentle Ewe Shawl pattern. Congratulations!

This week’s giveaways are sponsored by Shibui and The Yarn Collective. Shibui is giving away a project kit featuring Melanie’s Whiteout Shawl along with their Lunar yarn. The Yarn Collective is giving away Melanie’s Secretkeeper shawl along with their Portland Lace yarn. To be one of the winners of this weeks giveaway, enter by leaving a comment on this blog post. And if you’re on Instagram and would like another chance to enter, see our giveaway post on Instagram for more info.

Such a gift to hear Melanie’s voice. Its exactly how I thought it would be. I have knit a couple of her shawls, tamdou is the latest and a sweater also. She is such a thoughtful designer. Thank you for another interesting podcast. I am soooo hooked! Ha!

I hadn’t come across Melanie before but now after listening to the podcast and exploring her ravelry page I’ve had to add to my project wish list! Her patterns are just heaven and combined with the sublime shibui yarn…well you know that feeling of a slightly racing heart when you start thinking about new yarn and a new project to pop on the needles…

I just liseneted to this weeks podcast, it was my first time. I will be listening to more of these in the future! I would love a chance to knit with the new shibui yarn! Thanks for the opportunity to join the giveaway. Happy knitting!

Ah Shibui!!! There is no other yarn that makes my fingers happy!! And to be able to use Shibui yarn to create a beautiful shawl like this would mean happy fingers AND happy eyes – not to mention being fashionable.

I loved this episode, and especially Melanie’s perception of the different groups of knitters in Germany and her gorgeous story of being able to change her career due to good conditions in Germany – how awesome is that? Both prizes are so beautiful, I hope to dive into one of them!

I’d like acknowledge your commitment Ashley, for these wonderful podcasts! I know what it’s like to have little children. a home to run, animals to care for and a career to nurture! Good job and know that we appreciate it! Love from Wyoming!

I love Ms. Berg’s shawls! They make me feel better about all the pretty yarn I’ve bought over the years without knowing what I’m going to use it for. Her designs require lovely fibres, and I have those in abundance.

I am so happy to have this to listen to today while I am knitting. I love Melanie’s clean and clever designs. Shibui yarns are wonderful! I so appreciate the work you put into your podcasts. Keep up the wonderful work. I am always so excited to listen to a new one and I have revisited several podcasts to listen again!

A fabulous podcast, gorgeous yarns and a beyond talented designer, what more could a gal ask for any day of the week! I absolutely LOVE Melanie’s designs. She is so inspiring and makes me want to step outside of my comfort zone. Thank for the giveaway and a chance to listen to my favorite designer.

What a wonderful podcast. I’m a huge fan of Melanie’s designs and hearing her talk about her journey is quite inspiring. And how lovely of the sponsors to offer such great giveaways. Both shawls are on my wishlist!

I look forward to listening to the podcast later while knitting. I have one of Melanie’s patterns at the top of my queue but trying to finish up a couple of WIPs first. The giveaways look marvelous and such generosity from the sponsors!

I was so happy to listen to Melanie’s interview. I love hearing about all of the winding roads that designers take. Her shawl patterns are so lovely. I think I could spend the next year just knitting her shawl patterns.
I could spend the rest of my life just knitting with shibui and be happy.

I just listened to your podcast with Melanie Berg while on my morning walk. I like so many of your episodes, some that have moved me to tears, but I have to say that this one is my favorite. Melanie is so thoughtful, intentional and principled. I found this interview so inspiring. I’m so appreciative of the giveaway offer.

I love, love, love Melanie’s work and her work ethic. Amazing designer! I love how she gives back to the community and to those in need. She is an inspiration. Thanks for this great interview and what a generous giveaway.

Melanie is more than a great designer. Her commitment in support of organizations such as Doctors Without Borders and Greenpeace make me proud to own her patterns (a few now). I was introduced to Shibui fiber this summer at Jessica’s Knits in Scottsdale, AZ. Lovely fiber!! I did not have a project in mind at the time and my ample stash precludes my purchasing new fiber without a designated project. Then along came Whiteout! What a great combination.

Wonderful interview of one of my favorite designers. Thank you for your podcast as its my favorite one of knit. Thank you to Shibui for supporting this great podcast and offering a great kit in the giveaway.

I really enjoyed this…it was like sitting down to tea with two great knitters and getting to
listen to them dialogue…enjoyed the conversation about stretching each others abilities
and how community knitting does that….nothing like sharing hobbies and work with
other like minded fiber folks……very encouraging!
Thank you!

I’ve been admiring these shawls for some time, planning the day when my knitting branches out to include shawls and lace. Maybe the time has finally come, giveaway winner or not! They’re too lovely to pass up!

I loooove Mairlynd’s designs and I’ve knitted quite a few of them! But your podcast is new to me and I will listen to this episode tomorrow. In Finland we are having an increasing trend of video podcasts but I’ve been missing something to LISTEN while I’m walking or cycling so this might be it! Lovely pictures, following you now on Instagram too 🙂

Loved listening to this podcast. Melanie Berg is one of my favorite designers; I’m currently knitting Drachenfels and it is probably my favorite project to date! The yarn is lovely, and I would be so happy to win this giveaway!

It’s so crazy I just bought some yarn to start two shawls she designed, Rheinlust and Ingwer, they’re to be Christmas gifts. I’ve got to start early and sometimes even then I don’t finish in time! Thanks for the giveaways, I don’t know how you think of new ones for each episode.

This is my first episode of Woolful podcasts that I have listened to. I just found you! (Crazy, I know). I saw the reference to the interview on Instagram and was interested to here the interview. I enjoyed it so much! Thanks, I will be back!

I only discovered your podcast and blog two weeks ago – I love it!!!!! I love Melanie’s design and her attitude towards yarn, sheep and the environment. I often found myself nodding in agreement about what she said. Thank you very much!!!!

I always look forward to your podcasts, as you feature fiber enthusiasts with a mindful outlook. I have at least one of Melanie’s patterns already, but her outlook on her craft and the world of knitting makes me even more likely to follow her career going forward. Thank you, Ashley, for expanding our collective knitting world by showcasing these mindful people.

This was the first time I have listened to your podcast and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I will be sure to tune in again. I really like Melanie’s patterns, it was wonderful to learn a bit about how she got into designing. Thank you so much. What’s not to love about Shibui!

I really enjoyed how this podcast felt at times more like a conversation than an interview, with Melanie posing questions to Ashley. I would love the opportunity to knit one (or two!) of Melanie’s shawl patterns.

I also love Melanie’s designs – she is amazing. It was a bit challenging listening to this episode on my road trip but so worth it! I am striving to make my creations reflect my care & concern for how animals are treated, that true value is given to people’s work & that our world is also cared for. Thank you Ashley & Melanie : )

My first podcast experience ever! And I could not have chosen better!
A true enjoyment. I just love Melanie’ s design and general aesthetics. And she always manages to install a new fibre love in me. Like that Shibui gorgeousness of a yarn. Um, coveting this very much

I love the contrast between Beatrice last week and Melanie this week. In many ways they feel like two complimentary ends of the spectrum, one with young kids, without the bandwidth for firm deadlines, the other with older kids, seeing the benefit of outside deadlines.

Thank you for interviewing Melanie. I love her shawl patterns. They are unique, fun and beautiful! White out is already in my favorites on ravelry and hope to get started once I finish my find your fade shawl!

I have drooled over Melanie’s ‘Caress My Soul’ shawl ever since I found it so I was verrrrry excited to discover your podcast. Absolutely mesmerized by your conversation, to the point of nearly missing my stop on the early morning train ride into Sydney for work. I have now subscribed and plan to go back and listen to many more. Thank you for offering the opportunity to go in the draw for such a wonderful giveaway.

So fabulous. I found you through instagram, and now I’m working my way through your podcast oeuvre on my morning hikes. This one’s so timely, as I just started knitting with Shibui yarn for the first time, making a grellow (grey and yellow) Amecameca cowl out of their Lunar, and loving how it’s knitting up so far.

I just discovered this podcast and it is so wonderful. A great opportunity to get a glimpse into the lives of other fiberfolk. Thank you, woolful, for bringing this to the knitting community. I love Melanie’s designs and am a proud owner of an Ingwer myself.

Such an inspiring story! I was so inspired, I actually started jotting down notes for my own design projects (more like dreams, right now) while listening. Thank you Ashley and Melanie for the lovely interview – the fact that the questions came from both sides made it even more interesting!

As stated throughout these comments, and I say again, Melanie Berg and Shibui! My favorites….thanks for the wonderful interview. Looking forward to continued listening. Thanks for the generous offerings.

Thank you for interviewing Melanie. I knitted her Drachenfels for my sister, and of course before I sent it I had to “test drive” it for a few days. Loved wearing it and started one for myself with yarn I love, but it wasn’t a great match. I have fantasized about using Shibui for it. As a mohair junkie Silk Cloud is a favorite yarn, and Shibui’s color palette is divine. So pairing Melanie Berg and Shibui . . . awesome! And now I finally know the proper way to pronounce Shibui. 🙂 Thank you Ashley!

I came across this podcast through the Shibui knits page (I’m knitting one of their sweaters). I’m so excited to find a new place to hear about fiber! I think that may not be the correct direction for sponsoring, but I’m okay with it.
I look forward to a whole lot more listening enjoyment!

What an enjoyable interview! I have knit several of Melanie’s shawls. It was nice getting to know her a bit through this interview. And is it just me, or does she not have the sweetest, most soothing voice ever?!

Lovely interview, Melanie was so sweet! Naturally the two of you interviewed each other so it became a conversation like you 2 were sitting together and enjoying tea and sharing ideas. I always learn something new when listening to Woolful. Thank you as always.

Thank you for the insightful interview with Melanie Berg. Her story is inspiring, as I began knitting for my children as well. I really enjoyed her comments regarding mindful purchasing and whatiI call’voting for your ethics with yourprofile dollar.’

And I mustsay say, it was a joy to hear your baby cooing in the background.

When I first started knitting I was clueless but woolful and Melanie were the first voices in this community that resonated with my values and aesthetic. Needless to say I could not have imagined a podcast I would want to hear more. Thank you!

I kept hearing Melanie being mentioned in other podcasts and finally checked out her Ravelry site. Wow! Beautiful designs. Now I see why her name keeps coming up. Really enjoyed your interview with her and learning more about Shibui and the Yarn Collective.

My favorite part was about her relationships with ethical wool producers and also the contrast between working for yourself and stretching yourself when working with others. So thoughtful and thought-provoking. I have my open waters shawl on the needles. Can’t wait to finish it now!

What a great interview! Melanie spoke with such clarity and thoughtfulness. She exemplifies the best of the fibre world – talent without attitude and incredible sincerity. Such a pleasure to listen to this….